Arthur Jack “Skip” Rochester, 89, of Port Charlotte, Florida died Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at ShorePoint-Port Charlotte Hospital.

Skip was born September 21, 1934, in Cambridge, Ohio to the late Charles J. and Martha (Sievers) Rochester. After graduating High School, Skip served in the Army, including a tour in Germany, married and became a father. After divorcing, Skip moved to Port Charlotte from Ohio in 1960 to be near his parents and brother and went to work for General Development. In 1964 he met Mildred Jones, a single mother with four children who was new to the area. They began dating and married on September 4, 1965. Skip devoted himself to his new family, and he and Millie added to it when Beverly Rochester was born in 1968.

Skip played a vital role in the growth of Port Charlotte as a Utilities Project Manager with Charlotte County Utilities for many years. Even after retiring, he worked part-time for several years in the same department. He was an active volunteer in the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Auxiliary and was dedicated to his work with them for a number of years. He was an Army Veteran, and a member of Port Charlotte Methodist Church. Skip was an avid stock car racing fan, a skilled backyard car mechanic, a constant “do it yourselfer,’ taking on countless projects around his and his children’s homes over the years, and for the past several years, a creative designer and builder of model cars and log cabins. The only things Skip loved more than working on cars and on home fix-it projects were his wife, children, grandchildren, and great, great, great grandchildren.

Skip is survived by his loving family: a son, Arthur Jack Rochester, Jr. of Pleasant View, TN; a daughter, Beverly Myers (Kerry) of Punta Gorda, FL; four step-children, Jan Jones of Sante Fe, NM: Hal Jones (Melinda) of Atlanta, GA; Sue Nation (Mike) of Plant City, FL; Frank Jones (Suzann) of O’Fallon, IL; grandchildren Kelly Rochester and Makenzie Myers; step-grandchildren Steven Jones and Jeff (Elizabeth) Jones; Mike Nation (Amanda) and Missy Nation Smith (Kevin); Kevin Jones (Ashlei) and Jared Jones (Christine); great grandchildren Tony, Michael III, Sara, and Emi Nation; Kolton and Allana Smith; and great, great grandchild, Aridia Nation; and other great grandchildren whom he loved and adored.  Skip was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Rochester who died in 2023, two brothers, two sisters and his parents.

Graveside services and interment will be held Friday 2:00 PM, April 26, 2024, at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 1380 Forrest Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952

Memorial contributions may be made to Wellroot Family Services, Tucker, Georgia, www.wellroot.org an organization Skip and Millie supported over the years.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel.